The best dress she wore was to the wedding but it was ruined by that thing on her head. I really can't believe that any milliner actually would put his/her name out as having created that monstrosity. I also can't believe that the members of her family actually let her become the laughing stock of the world - what a sad family they must be to have allowed her to walk out the front door wearing that thing.
I agree about that hat - the milliner [Stephen Treacy] has explained that it is a 'sculptured bow'. It just shows how little I know about the way of fashion - to me, it was just a collection of open spaces......although I can see a bow-shape now.
In the past [and I am talking about several years ago] Princess Anne used to be the most criticised Royal when it came to fashion: one particular outfit stands out in my mind - a too long brown tweed suit that made her look about 100 years old. It was shapeless, baggy and as I said, an unflattering length....
At that time, the Queen often rated a close second ['How can the Queen spend so much on handmade clothes only for them to look like she has bought them at a charity shop?' was the common cry from the Tabloids.] I can remember that one of Her Majesty's creations was covered in the most extraordinary little fabric bows everywhere. There was also an evening dress covered with California Poppies, as a tribute to hosts on a State Visit to the USA. But although no doubt a kindly-met compliment, it just looked.......strange.
And then I began to think things through and in my humble opinion, this is why I think the Royals tend to sport fashion disasters - it is firstly because most Royals are not particularly interested in fashion [which is actually no crime!] and secondly it is because, in my opinion, no one [due no doubt to a misguided sense of deference], has ever plucked up courage to tell them when they look ridiculous. I mean, if I had been invited to the Royal Wedding and set off wearing Beatrice's 'creation', my friends would have screamed with laughter and said ' Oh, No! Don't!!! You cannot leave the house looking like that!! You look terrible and will be a laughing stock!' It is my humble opinion that most of the BRF do not have friends either willing or able to give them objective advice.
The role of the designers who sell the royals these clothes and hats is very questionable. Do they feel unable tactfully to persuade their royal clients into something more suitable, or are they, as Designers, unable to produce consistently flattering work? Some of the styles you see on the catwalk are marvellous, others defy description.
ON the whole, the most stylish members of the BRF are those who have married into it. Poor Sarah has appeared in some expensively hideous mistakes, but then again, this is because in my very humble view, she has no interest in fashion.
However, at the end of the day, it is not a crime to be less than stylishly dressed. The only downside of inappropriate wear is when it diverts attention from the event to the wearer.
Only my views,
Alex